It is ironic that Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa happened to be in London spreading the 'Zimbabwe open for business' message when it was announced in Harare that draconian power cuts are being imposed.

They are not just routine measures. An announcement by the power utility ZESA said some suburbs across the country would be cut off for at least 10 hours a day because of reduced generation at major power stations. Worse still, most of the power-shedding will be during the morning and evening peak periods of 5 am – 10 am and 5 pm – 10 pm. A spokesman said if the measures were not implemented the country could be plunged into total darkness by October.

Another irony was a notice advertising the auction of farm equipment from the troubled Mugabe farming enterprise. The equipment includes five combine harvesters, tractors and at least 30 vehicles. The Mugabe family have been facing lawsuits over unpaid debts.

No such financial difficulties for Comrade Obert Mpofu, one of the richest men in Zimbabwe, who ironically has survived the demise of the Mugabes and as Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration this week had talks in Harare with British Ambassador Melanie Robinson.

'I was able to express our support for the reforms the President has laid out on the economic and political side', the Herald quotes her as saying.

Judging from recent statements, the UK, the EU and – more importantly – the US are now singing from the same song sheet: accepting the military regime – at least until further atrocities by the security forces.

The West seems to have given up hope in Zimbabwe's fractious political opposition and the stick of human rights with which it used to beat Mnangagwa has been replaced by a carrot – the removal of sanctions to tempt Zimbabwe out of the orbit of China, Russia etc.

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